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November 7, 2014 / Comments (1)

Gossamer Gear Type 2 Review

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Allison is the founder of trailtosummit.com which she began as a way to track and share her first round of the NH 4000 Footers. Now on round 5 (the first round for her dog Ruckus) she has been honored to have taken part of many people’s firsts. She is an experienced trail maintainer, speaker, and passionate member of the outdoor community. In New England, Allison enjoys trekking along the highest peaks, bushwhacking to less traveled areas, and has a fondness for sunrise and sunset trips. Outside of New England Allison has also thru hiked the John Muir Trail and explored mountains in the German and Austrian Alps, Israel, and the Azores. Her goal is to share her passion for hiking and backpacking with others, especially with women, to inspire them to experience the freedom of the trail!

This summer Gossamer Gear came out with a couple new day packs along with redesigning most of their current larger capacity packs. I was really interested in trying out the Rukus which is a pack known to swallow gear. I figured it may be a good contender for some winter hiking in the Whites. However, I also received the Gossamer Gear Type 2 Utility Backpack and to my surprise, I keep grabbing this pack when I’m heading out for some type 2 fun!

For those who have no idea what the reference is, type two fun is “an activity that is fun only after you have stopped doing it.” For me, this usually is when I’m in the middle of a bushwhack, hoping I made the right choice to save a 1/4 mile while any exposed skin gets battered. Most of my hikes are type one fun 🙂

The Type 2 is 1400 cubic inches (23L) and the ultimate multifunctional pack.
MSRP $99.00
15.65 oz  (444 g.) complete
.80 oz (23 g.) removable foam pad
3.40 oz (95 g.)  removable belt
11.50 oz (326 g.) pack only
I’ve been using this pack for the last few months on day hikes in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. I really like the storage options and it works well for me. You can use a bladder as it has two integrated hydration hose ports so you can run your hose right by the shoulder straps. The side pockets are also the perfect size for water bottles, but I do wish they were a little easier to access with the pack on. If they were raised slightly, I’d be able to reach for my water bottle without putting too much work into it.
 
I have only used this pack for day hikes, but I packed it with two days of food and equipment for an overnight trip (tent, sleeping bag, ground sheet, headlamp, additional clothing, etc) and it fit! I could probably squeeze in another day’s worth of food if I packed it well.
Type 2 fully loaded for an overnight trip

The pack is really comfortable and light. I am able to squeeze through tight spaces going up Mount Jefferson’s Six Husband’s Trail without removing my pack.

mt jefferson
The Type 2 was also very good to me on a solo extended Presidential Traverse. I really like the deep pockets on the hip belt. I keep small snacks and gels in one pocket and my camera in the other. It helps me to keep moving! Also, it has enough adjustments that I can make it snug and really reduce the pack shifting as I hike.
type 2

Type 2 summits Washington x2 on an extended Presi Traverse

On a trail maintenance trip, I didn’t worry about puncturing the 100 Denier Robic ripstop nylon the main body is made of.

This Robic fabric is actually supposed to shed water. I was pretty excited to test this out on a recent trip up Mount Cannon. With steady rain for the entire day, this was a very good test. At the end of the hike I felt the inside of my pack and everything was dry, even my map inside the zippered top lid!

TheGossamer Gear Type 2 is a really versatile pack. I love that I can take take it on long day hikes, stuff it for an overnight trip, or even do a little bushwhacking without worry.

Disclosure: Allison is a former Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassador and received a complimentary Type 2 backpack.

Updated 3/30/2015

Last modified: December 13, 2015

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Gossamer Gear Type 2 Review

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